The next workday will be on Saturday 23rd May.  We’ll meet at 10.00 by the bridge which takes the path over the lane to Rabley, by the entrance to Poulton Farm.  The location is shown in the map below.

The work list includes:

•  Dealing with ivy on trees near the site boundary, overhanging adjacent access roads);
•  Applying weed killer to tree stumps on bridge embankment to prevent further damage;
•  General tidy, including of rubble under bridge a couple of hundred yards to the NW.

Everyone is welcome.  No previous experience is needed.

Please bring clothes suitable for the weather on the day, some drink and lunch.  Tools will be available.

More information from Dick Millard  (dick.millard@btinternet.com)

The Bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill says, “Our Synod is at its best not only when differing views are represented, but also when the rich diversity of gifts available to us across our diocese are brought together. It is important that in today’s world we have people of prayer, stature and vision standing for election who will embrace the right range of competencies to play their part in the decision making of our Diocese.”

The Bishop of Swindon, Lee Rayfield adds, “The next few years are going to be hugely significant for the Diocese of Bristol, and indeed the future of the wider Church of England.

Nominations are now open for people to stand for Diocesan Synod (the advisory body to the Bishop of Bristol) for the next three years. You have until 19 May 2015 to get yourself nominated.

Any church member on the electoral roll over the age of 16 is eligible to stand for election. You don’t even need to be a PCC member first. All licensed clergy are eligible too. And to stand, you simply need to get nominated by two members of your Deanery Synod. We can help you with this bit if you have no idea who this is.

Find out more from the Diocesan website.

The Annual Report is now available to read or download from here.

Who is my neighbour?

The following is the introduction to this thought provoking letter.

How should Christian men and women approach the General Election to be held on 7 May 2015? This letter from the Church of England’s House of Bishops is addressed to all members of the church. And, as the Church of England strives to be a church which seeks the good of all the people of the country, we hope that others, who may not profess church allegiance, will nevertheless join in the conversation and engage with the ideas we are sharing here. This letter is not a shopping list of policies we would like to see. It is a call for the new direction that we believe our political life ought to take.  Read the full letter here: whoismyneighbour-pages

Calling all mums. We had to suspend the weekly bumps and babes sessions due to lack of numbers. Recently, though, we have received some enquiries from local families asking if the sessions could be resumed.

Bumps and babes was specifically for expectant mums and those with babies under 1 year old. It created an ideal opportunity to meet, make friends and share experiences over a cup of coffee or tea.

If you are interested in taking part in such a group then we would love to hear from you – if we get enough interest it may be possible to re-start the sessions. Please contact Ailsa in the parish office if you would like to know more.

01793 522832 or parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk

The new board kindly donated by Enid Roberts to mark the 60th anniversary of the original Coronation Peal.

The original Peal board celebrating the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953

Last Sunday we celebrated the work of our bell ringers and the important part they play in the every day life of the church and community and also remembered some important historical milestones that they have marked. We heard a fascinating talk given by Brian Harris, our Tower Captain, about the bells and how and why they are rung. You can hear his talk again here.

Margaret Williams (Left front) with friends and colleagues at the celebration of her 40 years as a Lay Reader late last year.

There was a quarter peal in Margaret’s honour at 9.30am. Margaret shared with us in a Watchnight Holy Communion service at 11pm on New Year’s Eve followed by an opportunity to climb the bell tower and hear the bells peal over Swindon and watch the fireworks across Swindon. If you would like to send Margaret a congratulatory email her email address is margaretwilliams111@gmail.com

You can read more about the local reaction to Margaret’s honour here. http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/11694217.MBE_recipient_Margaret_Williams_led_way_for_women_in_Church/?ref=mr

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/11696181.It___s_a_right_old_ding_dong_for_Margaret_MBE/

http://www.bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=363437